Nivard’s bogey free round of 68 included four birdies at Golf de Bussy Guermantes. The 21 year old, ranked 10th on the LET Access Series Order of Merit, is hoping to retain her card for the Ladies European Tour next year, where she is currently 133rd on the Henderson Money List.

Giraud, who opened with a 67, added a round of 69 to move to the top of the leader board alongside Nivard. The 25 year old, who is in her 4th season on the Ladies European Tour, also recorded a bogey free round in clear, cool conditions in Bussy-Saint-Georges. The French women who is not fully exempt for the Ladies European Tour this year is hoping to improve her position on the LETAS Order of Merit this week and give herself a great opportunity to gain her full playing rights for the 2012 LET season.

She is aiming for the LET’s Qualifying School at the end of the year, but she will be able to bypass the gruelling contest should she finish in the top two places on the LETAS Order of Merit.

Dutch woman Marjet van der Graaff is in third place, tied at 4 under par with France’s Camille Fallay. The French player, is competing on her home course, which has been the training ground for several champions such as Jade Schaeffer, Gregory Havret, François Calmels and Romain Wattel.